Hair treating apparatus



P 3, 1969 D. K. HARMON 3,468,3w

HAIR TREATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 23, 1969 0. K. HARMON 3,458,319

HAIR TREATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [fire/7hr Dana/a K Harman Sept. 23, 1969 D. K. HARMON HAIR TREATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet .1

Filed NOV. 14, 1966 [five/7Z0?" Jana/a K Harman 6 fink/75y Sept. 23, 19% D. K. HARMON HAIR TREATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 14, 1966 United States Patent 3.468,3I9 HAIR TREATING APPARATUS Donald K. Harmon, Monroe, Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 594,238 Int. Cl. A45d 1/00 US. Cl. 132-9 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure concerns apparatus for applying hair treating fluid to the hair and scalp of a user. The apparatus includes a head receiving chamber having nozzles for distributing fluid to the hair and a motor driven pump for pumping the treating fluid to the nozzles. A portable container is also provided that is removably mounted in fluid flow communication with the pump in such a manner that the fluid is recirculated through the container and pump.

The present invention relates to hair treating apparatus; and, more particularly, to apparatus for applying hair treating fluid to the hair and scalp of a user.

Apparatus for applying a hair treating fluid, such as water or water and detergent for cleaning purposes, to the hair and scalp of a user have been known in the past. Quite often these devices have included a chamber for enclosing the hair and scalp and means within the chamher for applying the treating fluid. Generally these prior devices have contemplated draining the spent solution into a discharge drain after the washing operation has been completed, and they have not been concerned with effec tive recovery of substantially all of the solution after the solution has been used.

It has been found that certain organic compounds in liquid form may have very desirable properties when it comes to eflectively cleaning human hair. One such compound which has been found to be particularly effective is l,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane. It remains, however, this compound is relatively expensive. The expense for each usage may, however, be off-set when it is realized that a predetermined initial amount of this solution may be reused several times. While the apparatus of the prior art may be quite adequate for their intended purpose, it remains that this prior apparatus does not effectively solve the problems from a desirable commercial standpoint associated with using a liquid solution which is relatively expensive. Because of the expense it is commercially desirable to start with only a minimum amount of liquid solution and be able to easily and effectively recover substantially all of this liquid after a hair washing operation for subsequent re-use. Along the lines just mentioned it may be noted that individual members of a family might desire to use solutions which are slightly diflerent from each other depending on their needs. Thus, one family member might desire to have a slight tint or dye in a solution, whereas another family member may not want this dye. It would therefore be desirable to provide an apparatus wherein not only would the solution used by one family member be easily and effectively recovered for subsequent re-use, but also the fluid distributing portion of the apparatus should be immediately readily available for use by another family member with his particular solution.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which effectively applies a hair treating fluid to hair and scalp of a user, assures ease and eflectiveness of recovering the solution with a minimum of effort on the part of the user for subsequent re-use and wherein the solution is easily transported separate from the apply- 3,468,319 Patented Sept. 23, 1969 ing device so that another solution may, if desired, be rapidly substituted therefor.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus for applying hair treating fluid to the hair and scalp of a user which minimizes the amount of solution which is required.

In carrying out the invention in one form, there is provided an apparatus for applying a hair treating fluid which includes as separately transportable parts, two basic units. One of these units is a container for the fluid. The other unit includes means for enclosing the hair and scalp within a chamber and for distributing the fluid to the hair and scalp. The container is adapted to be removably mounted with respect to a pump in the fluid distribution system; and, when so mounted, the pump can be operated to force the fluid through a distribution system to the hair of the user. While the hair is being treated with additional fluid the fluid which has already contacted the hair returns to the container; and, in this manner, is continually recirculated through the container. This recirculation promotes efliciency of the device and also enables starting with a minimum amount of fluid. Furthermore, assurance is gained that substantially all of the fluid will be returned to the container when the pump motor is turned off.

As another aspect of the present invention, means are provided to control the pump motor so that the motor is turned off after a predetermined sufficient period of time to accomplish the desired treatment; and, after an additional predetermined period of time, a signaling means notifies the user that a suflicient time has elapsed to permit substantially all of the fluid to be returned to the fluid container before the hair and scalp is removed from the apparatus.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. My invention, however, *both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention with certain parts broken away and showing the position of a users head in the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of a post carrying a pump for use in the apparatus with the bottom plate of the pump broken away; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of a motor control and user signaling circuit used in the present invention.

While the particular apparatus to be hereinafter described is not intended to be limited for use with any specific treating fluid, there is a fluid which works admirably with this apparatus to clean hair in a relatively short period of time. This liquid has 1,1,2-trichloro-l,2,2- trifluoroethane as a principal constituent. By applying this liquid for about thirty seconds it has been found that hair is very effectively cleaned. Then, within about sixty seconds after the solution has been applied the hair has, for all practical purposes, dried. It also may, in certain instances, be desirable to add minor amounts of such material as dyes or perfumes to the liquid.

Now turning to the drawing, one of the basic units indicated above as forming a part of the invention is a container 10 for hair treating fluid. While the container may be of any appropriate configuration, the container in the drawing is illustrated as having a side wall 11 which is generally circular in cross section, a top wall 12 and a bottom wall 13. The outer marginal edges of the bottom wall together with the bottom edge of the side wall are joined together to provide a marginal lip 14 upon which the container will rest when placed on a flat supporting surface. A central portion of the bottom wall is dished downwardly to provide a sump 15 which receives a pump as will be referred to hereinafter in greater detail. The central portion of the top wall has an opening 16 substantially in alignment with the sump, and the opening is sufliciently large to receive the pump. A flexible sealing gasket 17 extends around the opening. The container may be removed and transported separately from the remainder of the apparatus, and it is to be understood that when the container is so removed a suitable cover or lid (not shown) may be placed over the opening 16 to prevent evaporation of the treating fluid contained therein. A container which holds approximately 3 pints of liquid has been effectively used.

As mentioned above, the apparatus includes, in addition to the container 16, another unit which is separately transportable from the container but which is adapted to cooperate with the container in a unique manner when it is desired to apply treating fluid to hair and scalp of a user. This other unit includes an upper portion 18 for receiving the hair and scalp of a user, and also includes a hollow supporting base 19 integrally connected to the upper portion through the medium of a hollow column 20. Part of a fluid distributing means is located in the supporting base 19, and another part of the fluid distributing means is located in the upper scalp enclosing portion 18.

The upper portion includes a chamber 21 defined by outer side walls 22, bottom wall 23, top wall 24 and a rear wall 25. A frontwardly extending projection 26 is connected to the front edges of the side and bottom walls along a seam 27. This projection is provided centrally with a cut-away portion. In order to provide a sup orting and sealing function to the head of the user, a flexible, resilient gasket 28 extends around the marginal edges of this cut-away portion. The manner in which the gasket provides a supporting and sealing function for the head of a user will be understood by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. The basket has a first portion 29 which extends around the back of the neck of the user, second portions 30 and 31 which extend toward the top of the users head on each side beneath each of the ears, and third portions 32 and 33 which extend adjacent the top of the ears generally towards the forehead. The first portion 29 thereby provides a support for the users head at the back of the neck and also provides a fluid seal. The second portions provide a continuation of this seal and also supports the head in an effective manner because the second portions engage the head along lines extending toward the chamber beneath the ears of the user.

The container 10, upper chamber defining portion 18, base 19 and column 20 are preferably molded of any suitable plastic material which is relatively rigid and is not adversely affected by the fluid to be used in the apparatus. While not limited thereto, one material which has been found to meet these requirements is acrylonitrile butadienestyrene.

So as to permit the user to position his head in the chamber with a minimum of eifort even if the hair might be in curlers, a cover member 34 is pivotally connected to the top wall 24 through the medium of a flexible polypropylene hinge plate 35. After the users head has been properly positioned on the gasket 28, the cover member is pivoted from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 2; and, when so pivoted, edges 34 of the cover mate with edges of the side and bottom walls along a line 36. The front edge of the cover includes an opening which is lined with a flexible, resilient gasket 37, and this latter gasket at the position of FIG. 2 extends around the forehead in a direction toward the temples of the user. The ends of the two gaskets 28 and 37 meet, and the gaskets thereby substantially seal the hair and scalp within the chamber 21. Flexible sealing strips 4 38 cooperate with inturned flanges 39 extending outwardly toward the sides from the gaskets to further enhance the seal between the chamber and the exterior of the apparatus. The gaskets 28 and 37 are preferably formed of closed cell polyurethane, but any flexible, resilient sealing material which is not adversely affected by the treating solution may be used.

In order to add rigidity to the device and to conceal conduit tubes within the chamber, an inner liner 40 is connected to the outer walls of the chamber along the seam 27. This inner liner also provides an eifective support for fluid distributing nozzles 41-44, preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride, which extend inwardly of the liner. A continuation of the liner 40 is indicated by the numeral 45 in the cover member 34. The shape of the liner and the spacing of the nozzles is such that the nozzles are spaced from the hair and scalp when the users head is positioned in the chamber.

As indicated above, a hollow supporting base 19 is integrally connected to bottom wall 23 through the medium of hollow column 20. This supporting base includes a top wall 46, a generally circular side wall 47 and a bottom wall 48. The bottom wall has foot portions 49 extending therefrom to support the base from a level supporting surface. An opening 50 through the bottom wall is sufliciently large to receive the container 10. Motor ventilation openings 51 are formed in the top wall of the base.

A relatively rigid supporting ledge 52 is integrally connected to and extends between the side walls of the base. This supporting ledge provides a means to secure a motor 53, pump 54, and other parts of a fluid distribution system within the base. The motor is secured on the top surface of the ledge and includes a shaft 55 which extends downwardly through the ledge and through a generally rectangular hollow post 56 to the pump located at the bottom of the post. Any suitable known pump construction may be used; however, a preferred pump is of the centrifugal type having an inlet along the bottom surface of a bottom plate 57. In addition to the bottom plate, the pump includes a top plate 53 and a center plate 59. The shaft 55 from the motor is connected through an opening 60 in the top plate to an impeller blade 61 located in pump chamber 62 in the center plate. As seen at FIG. 4, when the impeller is rotated in the direction of the arrow fluid is forced centrifugally from the inlet opening to the pump outlet 63. A fluid tight seal is preferably provided between the opening 60 and the motor shaft 55 so that the only path for fluid to enter the pump chamber is from the opening through the bottom plate.

The pump outlet leads to a hollow duct 64 which eX- tends interiorly through the column 20. A fluid distribution T-coupling 65 formed of polyvinyl chloride is connected to the outlet of the duct at the top of the column 20. From the coupling 65 a plurality of fluid conducting pipes 66-71 formed of polyethylene, and other couplings 65a and 65b provide fluid flow paths to the plurality of outlet nozzles located within the chamber, as is best seen at FIG. 3. It is important to note that each successive portion of the fluid flow path in the direction of fluid flow to each nozzle when the pump is operating is vertically above the preceding portion. This permits substantially all of the fluid which is being circulated to return by gravity back into the pump when the pump motor is turned oif. Then, because the pump is self-draining, the fluid will drain from the pump into the container when the pump is lifted from the container. A preferable pump and motor combination is one which will pump at a rate of approximately 15 quarts per minute. Then, in 30 seconds the fluid will be recirculated approximately five times through the container described above.

An opening 72 in the bottom of the liner 40 leads into a conduit 73 disposed within the column 20. This conduit is externally of the duct 64 leading from the pump outlet to the T-connection 65. As seen clearly at FIG. 2, the

exit of conduit 73 has a filter 74 disposed therein, and from the filter the fluid returns to the container 10. The function of the filter is primarily to prevent relatively large articles, such as hair pins, from being inadvertently forced into the pump; and, in this, a wire mesh screen through which the fluid can easily pass has been used.

Each of the nozzles is generally in the form of a helix which tapers inwardly from the inlet towards the outlet. As fluid contacts the successive portions of the helix, the stream of the fluid is broken up and effectively separated throughout the chamber to contact substantially all of the hair and the entire scalp area of the user which has been positioned in the chamber.

It may be helpful at this point, before describing a unique motor control and user signaling means, to describe the manner in which the apparatus is used. The fluid container is removed from a storage position and placed on a level supporting surface such as a table top. Then the remainder of the apparatus is transported as a unit to the vicinity of the container, and the supporting base 19 is placed over the container in a manner whereby the side walls of the supporting base surrounds the container, and the pump 54 extends through the opening in the top of the container and is positioned in the sump of the container. Now the sealing gasket 17 along the top edge of the container opening bears against the supporting ledge 52. The cover 34 is pivoted to the position of FIG. 1 and the user may then sit in a chair adjacent the front of the device and place his or her head in the device in the position illustrated at FIG. 1 by leaning the head back. Then the cover is closed to the position of FIG. 2 so as to seal the hair and scalp within the chamber. Now the motor 53 may be turned on which causes the pump 54 to begin pumping fluid from the container. The fluid enters the pump within the sump along the bottom wall 57 of the pump and then is pumped upwardly through the closed fluid flow path to the nozzles. The stream of fluid emerging from the nozzles contacts substantially all of the hair within the chamber. After contacting the hair the fluid drops by gravity and passes through opening 72, conduit 73, and filter screen 74 back into the container. Therefore, as long as the motor is running, the fluid is continually recirculated through the container.

Now turning to FIG. 4, there is illustrated, by way of an electrical schematic diagram, a motor control means and user signaling means to further assure that substantially all of the treating fluid will be returned to the container at the completion of an operation. Quite briefly, the control and signaling means provides a means for the user to start the pump motor in operation, automatic means for stopping the motor after a predetermined sufficient period of time to perform the desired hair treating operation, and signaling means which signals the user after a certain additional predetermined period of time; this additional period of time being suflicient for substantially all of the fluid to drain from the users hair into the container. For the apparatus and washing solution mentioned above, it has been found that an average head is effectively cleaned in about thirty seconds which is the first predetermined period of time. The second period of time is about 60 seconds after which substantially all of the fluid has drained back into the container, and the hair is, for all practical purposes, dry.

Two sides of an electrical supply line 75 and 76 lead from a normal electrical plug 77. An electrical line 78 leads from line 75 to a first normally open switch 79. From the switch 79, the line 78 leads through a normally closed switch 80 to a bimetallic 'blade 81 carrying a moveable contact 82, and the contact 82 normally engages fixed contact 83 when the bimetal is at room temperature. From the fixed contact the line leads through an electro magnetic relay 84 to the power input line 76. An electrical conduit 85 connected at point 86 between the switches 79 and 80 leads an to indicating light 87, and

from the indicating light the line leads through an 1100 ohm resistor 88 to one side 89 of the motor. The other side 90 of the motor is connected to power supply line 76. Another electrical conduit 91 leads from supply line 75 through a pair of contacts 92 and 93 which are open or closed by actuation of the relay 84. From the contact 93 this line 91 leads to a connection point on line 85. A 6000 ohm resistance heater 94 for the bimetal 81 is connected from line 85 to line 76. Another connection 95 on line 85 leads to a second bimetal 96- which has a moveable contact 97 normally engaging a fixed contact 98 when the bimetal is at room temperature, and this fixed contact also leads to side 89 of the motor. A 6000 ohm electrical resistance heater 99 for bimetal 96 is connected across lines 85 and 76.

In operation, the user moves a first switch button 79 against the bias of spring 100 to momentarily bridge the contacts 101 and 102 of the first switch with a conducting bar carried by the switch. Now a closed circuit can be traced through the relay 84 which brings relay arm 103 across contacts 92 and 93 to bridge these contacts. With the contacts 92 and 93 closed a circuit can be traced from electrical supply line 75 through these contacts to the electrical conduit 85. At this point, both of the heaters 94 and 99 are receiving electrical current flow, and there is also current flow through both bimetals 81 and 96 and through the motor 53. Because there is negligible resistance in the circuit from line 85 through bimetal 96 to the motor connection 89, the indicating lamp 87 or signaling means is effectively shunted out of operation. Now, the bimetal 96 is heated until the contacts 97 and 98 open. The period of time that it takes these latter contacts to open is, what has been referred to above, as the first predetermined period of time. As soon as the contacts 97 and 98 open, the light or other indicating means 87 is turned on, but, because of the resistance through the light and through the resistor 88 there will be insufficient electrical potential across the motor to keep it running. Therefore, when the indicating means 87 is actuated the motor turns off. Even though the motor ha turned off, the heater 94 for bimetal 81 is still in the circuit and will remain so until an additional period of time has caused heater 94 to bend bimetal 81 downwardly a suflicient distance to open contacts 82 and 83. It takes approximately 60 additional seconds to open the contacts 82 and 83; or, in other words, those latter contacts open approximately 90 seconds after the motor has been started. When contacts 82 and 83 are opened there is no longer an electrical current supply to the relay 84; and, therefore, the entire system is turned off. The light going off signals the user to open the device and remove the head from the chamber.

The switch button 80 is to permit the user to turn the motor off if this should be desired after the operation has begun. Thus, movement of this switch to the right breaks a connection between contacts 104 and 105 and halts current flow through the relay. The relay therefore drops out which, in turn, halts the motor.

As is well known in the art, the time that it takes a bimetal heated by an auxiliary heater to deflect sufficiently to open normally closed contacts is dependent upon a number of factors. Among these factors is the proximity of the heater to the bimetal, the bimetallic material which is used and the initial cold contact pressure. These factors are appropriately chosen for present purposes so that the contacts 97 and 98 open after approximately 30 seconds from when the motor is put into operation, and the contacts 82 and 83 open after approximately 90 seconds from the time the motor was initially started. The contacts 82 and 83 are therefore closed for approximately an additional 60 second period after the motor has been turned off by the opening of contacts 97 and 98.

The foregoing is a description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, and it is applicants intention in the appended claims to cover all forms which fall within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying a hair treating fluid to hair and scalp of a user, said apparatus including: outer walls defining a chamber for receiving the hair and scalp of the user; a plurality of spaced fluid outlet nozzles mounted within said chamber for distributing the fluid to the hair of the user; means for circulating said hair treating fluid including a motor driven pump having an inlet and an outlet, and means for controlling the operation of said pump motor; means establishing a first closed fluid flow path from said pump outlet to said nozzles; a portable treating fluid container adapted to be removably mounted in fluid flow communication with said pump inlet; and means establishing a second fluid flow path from said chamber to the interior of said container when said container is mounted in fluid flow communication with the pump, whereby fluid is returned through said second fluid flow path to said container simultaneously with the movement of fluid from said pump outlet through said first fluid flow path.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container includes an opening sufliciently large to receive said pump whereby said pump may be immersed in the treating fluid within said container.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein a hollow supporting base depends from a bottom wall of said chamber for surrounding said container and supporting said pump and chamber walls from a supporting surface.

4. The apparatus as set forth is claim 2 wherein said container includes a sump in the bottom wall thereof for receiving said pump.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for controlling the operation of said pump motor includes means for turning said motor on when said hair and scalp are disposed in said chamber and means for turning said pump oft" after said hair has been treated with fluid in said chamber for a predetermined period of time; and signaling means for automatically indicating the passage of a second predetermined period of time after said pump motor has been turned off, said second period of time being sufliciently long to permit substantially all of said fluid to drain from said users hair into said container.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for turning said pump off is automatically actuated by a timing device.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each successive portion of said first fluid flow path in the direction of fluid flow when the pump is operating is vertically above the preceding portion whereby substantially all of said fluid in said first fluid flow path drains back into said pump when said motor is turned off, and from said pump into said container when said pump is removed from said container.

8. An apparatus for applying a hair treating fluid to hair and scalp of a user, said apparatus including walls defining a chamber for receiving the hair and scalp of the user; fluid distribution means mounted within said chamber for distributing the fluid to the hair of the user; means including a motor driven pump for directing the fluid to said fluid distribution means; a treating fluid container adapted to be removably mounted in fluid flow communication with said pump; said pump being connected to one of said chamber defining walls for said pump and Walls to be moved as a unit independently of said container; and means establishing a fluid flow path from said chamber to the interior of said container when said container is mounted in fluid flow communication with said pump, whereby said fluid is returned to said container after being applied to the hair within the chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,065 10/ 1943 Willat 132-7 2,854,970 10/ 1958 Nolan 128-65 2,856,918 10/1958 Kingery et al. 132-9 FOREIGN PATENTS 122,746 7/ 1943 Australia.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner JAMES W. MITCHELL, Assistant Examiner 

